Wellington Phoenix are through to the Round of 16 of the 2025 Hahn Australia Cup after a 1-1 (7-8) penalty shootout win over Perth Glory at Olympic Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In wet and windy conditions in Perth, the Phoenix took an early lead through Lukas Kelly-Heald but an 89th-minute equaliser from Glory captain Adam Taggart sent the knockout tie to extra time.
When play resumed at Olympic Stadium, it wasn’t long before the players were ushered back into the changerooms as lightning strikes near the stadium caused a 30-minute delay.
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When play resumed, both sides had chances to win the game through 30 additional minutes but the score remained locked at 1-1 as a penalty shootout beckoned at the waterlogged home of Olympic Kingsway.
It was advantage Glory in the shootout after Kazuki Nagasawa’s penalty miss; Taggart made it 1-0 to the hosts before Nagasawa skied his attempt over the bar.
A series of well-struck penalties led to a 4-3 lead in Glory’s favour after eight penalties but when Brandon O’Neill stepped up to the spot with an opportunity to win it for Perth, the midfielder missed the target.
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On his competitive debut for Glory, former Central Coast Mariners defender Brian Kaltak fires wide at 7-7 to give Wellington a chance at victory – an opportunity Kelly-Heald gladly took as the Phoenix sunk Perth in a 7-8 shootout triumph.
Wellington youngsters Luke Brooke-Smith, Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues and Lukas Kell-Heald were particularly impressive for the visitors in a knockout clash that had it all: momentum swings, chances galore, a late equaliser, a lightning delay and drama aplenty in a penalty shootout that ended with the Phoenix on top in the pouring rain.
“I felt we had a very good, positive first half,” said Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano. “We were very well balanced in that first 45 and deserved to be in front.
“I felt we were in control of the game, even in the second half…and it was very disappointing to concede right at the end of the 90.
“After the 30-minute delay the attitude and mentality was good when we came on. We were very focused, and we understood what the game plan was…so I was very happy.
“And then when it got to penalties, it’s more about holding nerve and very good character building to win that game.”
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